The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957 film)
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| The Barretts of Wimpole Street | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sidney Franklin |
| Produced by | Sam Zimbalist |
| Written by | Rudolf Besier (play) John Dighton (screenplay) |
| Starring | John Gielgud Jennifer Jones Bill Travers Virginia McKenna |
| Music by | Bronisław Kaper |
| Cinematography | Freddie Young |
| Editing by | Frank Clarke |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) | January 16, 1957 |
| Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Barretts of Wimpole Street was a 1957 film originating from the United Kingdom, and was a re-make of the earlier 1934 version by the same director, Sidney Franklin.[1] The play of the same name, by Rudolf Besier, was adapted for this film by John Dighton, although Franklin used exactly the same script for the second movie as he did for the first.[2] The film, set in the early 19th century, starred John Gielgud and Jennifer Jones.
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[edit] Synopsis
Elizabeth Barrett (Jones) is the disabled grown-up daughter of Edward Moulton-Barrett (Gielgud), and has an intense interest in poetry. However, she lives under the obsessive rule of her father, and this severely limits her ability to develop her love of rhyme amongst her peers. Edward in fact shows clear incestuous tendencies towards her, and discourages close contact with any males. When the poet Robert Browning enters her life, though, matters are brought to a head, through the intervention of Browning. Edward finds that his control over Elizabeth, and her younger sister Henrietta, is far from complete.[1]
[edit] Cast
- John Gielgud as Edward Moulton-Barrett
- Jennifer Jones as Elizabeth Barrett
- Bill Travers as Robert Browning
- Virginia McKenna as Henrietta Barrett
- Vernon Gray as Captain Surtees Cook
- Susan Stephen as Bella
- Jean Anderson as Wilson
- Maxine Audley as Arabel
- Leslie Phillips as Harry Bevan
- Laurence Naismith as Dr. Chambers
- Moultrie Kelsall as Dr. Ford-Waterlow
- Michael Brill as George
- Kenneth Fortescue as Octavius
- Nicholas Hawtrey as Henry
- Richard Thorp as Alfred
- Keith Baxter as Charles
- Brian Smith as Septimus
[edit] Production notes
To lend the whole project an air of authenticity, producer Sam Zimbalist moved filming from the 1934 location in the USA to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios[3] in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, using only "fine English actors" and as many correct locations as possible, including St Marylebone Parish Church in London.[4] Bill Travers (Browning) and Virginia McKenna (Henrietta), though cast to play future in-laws in the film, were actually husband and wife in real life.[5]
The film was made in Metrocolor, using CinemaScope, with an aspect ratio of 2.35 : 1 on 35mm film.[6] The 4-track stereo sound was supplied by Westrex.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Film synopsis and details: New York Times website. Retrieved on January 15, 2008.
- ^ Same script: IMDB.com website. Retrieved on January 15, 2008.
- ^ MGM studios, Borehamwood, circa 1938: Francis Frith website. Retrieved on January 15, 2008.
- ^ Marylebone Church, London, used as film location: IMDB.com website. Retrieved on January 15, 2008.
- ^ Production details: from an article at the TCM website. Retrieved on January 15, 2008.
- ^ Technical specifications: IMDB.com website. Retrieved on January 15, 2008.
- ^ Other technical info: IMDB.com website. Retrieved on January 15, 2008.
[edit] External links
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